Man of Lawlessness

For Thursday, December 19, 2024:

2 Thessalonians 2:4 NLT: “The man of lawlessness will exalt himself and defy everything that people call god and every object of worship. He will even sit in the temple of God, claiming that he himself is God.”

The evil one is known as the great deceiver, the great liar. He could be sitting right in the temple or in your church, and you could ask, “Are you the One?”

And he would answer, “Yes,” because only untruths come from his mouth.

As we draw closer to the end times each day, false prophets will deceive many. Don’t be one of them! People you once trusted may be led astray. That’s why we’re told to not blindly trust a religious teacher, but rather to test them. Compare what they say to what the Bible says, to what Jesus taught. See that their behavior conforms with the Bible’s instructions.

Those who test what they are told will not be easily fooled!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Tithe?

For Sunday, August 11, 2024:

Malachi 3:10 NLT: “’Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.’”

I was brought up in a church where members decided how much they could afford to give to the church, and filled out pledge cards. But the Bible says that the first tenth – the BEST tenth – of everything belongs to the Lord. We are simply called to transport into the storehouse what already belongs to God.

In the New Testament, Jesus teaches benevolence without specifying any amount. At The Way, the first Christian assembly, worshipers gave to meet each other’s needs. They would sell buildings or land and donate the sum for the good of all. With a guaranteed home in heaven, there was no longer any point in hoarding earthly possessions.

In general, the Bible tells us to trust the Lord, not test the Lord. This is an exception. God is challenging believers: “Give it a try, and see if you like the results!” You’ll be amazed!

God loves a cheerful giver!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Save Us From Evil!

January 30, 2023 Monday Message:

Matthew 6:13 NIV, Jesus continues teaching The Lord’s Prayer: “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”

You should know that the Greek word for “temptation” could also be translated “tests.” The only way God would lead someone into temptation would be as a loyalty test, and Scripture says that God will not tempt us beyond what we have the ability to withstand.

Here’s an example: Abraham and Sarah were well beyond child-bearing years when God blessed them with a son, Isaac. They loved Isaac more than you can imagine. Then God told Abraham to take his only son into the wilderness and sacrifice him to the Lord. Unthinkable! But Abraham was obedient, loyal to God. Turns out the whole scenario was a loyalty test. At the last minute, God provided an appropriate sacrifice, and Isaac was spared! God is good!

J.B. Phillips translates this passage: “Keep us clear of temptation, and save us from evil.” Satan is relentless, perpetually ready to take us off track. Since God and Satan, good and evil, cannot exist in the same realm, if you desire protection from the evil one you should get closer to God. In His arms, you’re safe!

“Saving” us is a function of Jesus, who died that our sins might be forgiven as he redeems the children of God!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Testing the Lord!

January 2, 2023 Monday Message:

Deuteronomy 6:16 NIV: “Do not put the Lord your God to the test as you did at Massah.”

After Jesus’ baptism, the devil took him into the wilderness to be tested. As Christians, we believe that the Father, the Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit are all one God. So to me, Satan, a created being, thinking he could tempt his creator is just insanity! The outcome should have been obvious!

As a result of Jesus’ victory through the challenges, we are given reassurance that Jesus is who he said he was. An all-powerful God is in charge of the universe, and he wants things done the right way, His way! The primary evil-doer could not sway our Savior!

Having proven himself, it’s now time for Jesus to begin his ministry. People will still be talking about all this 2,000 years later!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Test Everything

February 20, 2012 Monday Message:

By looking at Paul’s instructions to the Thessalonians for Christian living, we learn the following:
•Always be joyful.
•Never stop praying.
•Be thankful in all circumstances (for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.)
•Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.
•Do not scoff at prophecies.
•Test everything that is said.
•Hold on to what is good.
•Stay away from every kind of evil. (1 Thess. 5:16-20 NLT)

This week we look at #6, “Test everything that is said.” How can we test everything?

1. We’ve been given a giant reference book for our Christian faith, the Bible. If what you are taught in a lecture, sermon, or speech doesn’t add up, compare what you’ve been told with what your Bible says. Nowadays you don’t need a lot of Bibles on your bookshelf. We’re blessed to have free Bible access on our computers, and you can get low-cost Bible apps for your iPad or smart phone. Concordances cross-referencing words and topics are available as well, expediting your search.

2. Ask someone. I do my best to answer Bible questions whenever someone asks, and most Pastors and teachers would do the same. This seems easy and obvious, yet one man told me that it took him 20 years to get up the courage to ask his first Bible question. As humans living in a fallen world, we don’t like admitting that we don’t know something. Get over it. God says we need to know the truth.

3. Use logic; think it out. The Bible never contradicts itself, so if something doesn’t line up with your existing Bible knowledge, it’s time to take a second look. God’s character is unchanging, like a rock, the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. God is good, God is love, He’s with you, He’s for you, He cares about you, and He has a good plan for your life. Your circumstances cannot change God’s value system. If something doesn’t fit within God’s character, then something’s wrong.

With today’s podcasts, it’s easier than ever to listen to solid Bible teaching. Hopefully, this will raise the bar in pulpits around the world. God wants us all to hear quality, passionate Bible teaching, and to hold the teachers accountable. Like He says through Paul, “Test everything.”

That’s what the Bible says.

Norton Lawellin

Monday Message is also available at
http://www.mondaymessage-norton.blogspot.com/

Special note:

This past Sunday was my final week leading the Sonrise Worship Team for Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Brooklyn Park, MN. In five years, we significantly grew a Contemporary Worship ministry, and transformed the volunteers into a Bible-studying small group. They held a “good-bye gathering” for me and said the nicest things. Thank you. I can lead music somewhere else, but I’ll most miss the people with whom I worshiped each week, my “church family” for 5 years.

Blessings to all,

NL